Museo di storia della psichiatria

About the museum

The museum is located in the grounds of the former San Lazzaro psychiatric hospital in Reggio Emilia, in the pavilion designed in 1891 by engineer Angelo Spallanzani as the “Casino Galloni”, which from 1910 housed the Lombroso section for mentally ill patients who had committed offenses. The building was abandoned in 1972 and, after restoration, the museum opened to the public on 30 September 2012.

The collection dates back to 1875, when director Carlo Livi decided to document the progress of psychiatric science; later directors enriched it with treatment objects that were no longer in use. After the 1980 exhibition “Il cerchio del contagio”, the materials were kept at the Carlo Livi scientific library before being displayed at the current site.

On the ground floor, restraint devices, electroshock apparatus and equipment from the scientific laboratories are on show; the restored cells preserve graffiti left by patients. The upper floor houses an “open storeroom” with terracotta and sculptures by patients, a selection of the more than 8,000 drawings produced up until the closure of San Lazzaro, and instruments from the histology, bacteriology and psychology laboratories.

Highlights

• Restraint devices and electroshock machines
• Restored cells with patients’ graffiti
• Open storeroom with sculptures and drawings by patients
• Instruments from the scientific laboratories and photographic studio
• Route through the former Lombroso pavilion of San Lazzaro

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente del museo – Ground floor with restraint and treatment instruments; upper floor with an open storeroom of sculptures, drawings and laboratory instruments.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Comune di Reggio Emilia – Musei Civici

Visitors per year

approx. 5,577

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. The paid guided tour (Saturdays and Sundays at 16:00, at 17:00 in summer) costs €5 per person with a minimum of 7 participants, or €35 flat rate for groups of fewer than 7 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website of the Musei Civici refers to an accessibility statement and to the plan for the elimination of architectural barriers (P.E.B.A.), with no details for this site. The route is on the ground floor and the upper floor.

Kids & families

The museum does not publish programs specifically for families; the Musei Civici offer general educational activities for children and families.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the grounds of the former San Lazzaro psychiatric hospital, at via Amendola 2.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit